Friday, May 30, 2014

Postgraduate Programmes in the Environment in Europe

Postgraduate Programmes in the Environment

If you look up the word environment in the dictionary you get descriptions like 'the setting or condition where a particular activity takes place'. Well that's a pretty broad area of study because studying the environment is different depending on where you are in the world and offers the chance to travel and learn more about the world we live in. It is a truly global subject matter.

Not only that, but studying the environment actually changes over time, so it is never a static area of study. Many people who chose to study the environment often find that they end up working in areas that they couldn't have foreseen when they graduated. For example one area of study called 'Environmental Science' covers the diverse disciplines of Ecology, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, engineering, soil science, atmospheric science and much more. Other courses like 'Environmental Planning' require a flexible approach as they deal with the various challenges facing sustainable development as the global population increases.

So with that in mind, which kind of environmental study is right for you and what areas of study are becoming popular with employers and environmental researchers. Let's take a look at some world-renowned courses that are available across Europe that tackle some of the most important environmental issues of our time. This is by no means an exhaustive list - there are plenty of other fascinating master's degree programs avaiable at top-notch European universities, but this will but give you a flavour of what is on offer. Once you have more of an idea of what you want to specialise in and where you want to be based, you can use our A-Z European university search facilty to refine your search.

Happy searching!

Environmental Science Course

This program is operated by CEU, Lund University (Sweden), the University of Manchester (UK), the University of the Aegean (Greece), the University of Saskatchewan (Canada), and the 'Monterey Institute for International Studies' (USA). Graduates are awarded MSc degrees by all European partners. It is aimed at graduates who want to solve the many environmental challenges that we face today so would suit graduates from natural sciences, earth studies, social sciences and even law.

Environmental Planning Course

This course – part of 'PLANET Europe' – is an integrated 'Erasmus Mundus' Master's program on European spatial planning, environmental policies and regional development. It is a joint Master's Program of Radboud University Nijmegen, Blekinge Institute of Technology and Cardiff University that prepares graduates for a career in environmental and spatial planning in Europe. It's truly international in perspective and offers transferable skills to other environment careers.

Marine Environment Course

This program – at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium – provides insight into the diversity and complexity of the life and processes in the oceans, seas, lakes and estuaries and skills to study and manage them. It is open to graduates in biology, biochemistry and biotechnology, chemistry, geology, geography, geography and geomathics, bio-engineer science or environmental sciences. There is a huge skills shortage in this area and the ocean provides endless opportunities for study.

Environmental Business Course

Companies in Europe require managers with trans-national knowledge and linguistic skills, and who can function confidently and competently within the European arena of food production and business. So if you are passionate about the food you eat and think you have a head for business this could be a great option for you. It is based at the Royal Agricultural University in the UK

Geography Course

The Geography Department at King's College London in the UK has one of the widest ranges of postgraduate courses on offer in Europe, with over thirty degree options available. Geography covers so much of 'the environment', so personalise your degree by choosing optional modules that suit your interests, and enjoy living in the one and only city of London. Applicants should be graduates or have relevant experience

Environmental Architecture Course

The Graduate School of the Environment at CAT in Wales. CAT (Centre for Alternative Technology) is an education and visitor centre which demonstrates practical solutions for sustainability, covering all aspects of green living: environmental building, eco-sanitation, woodland management, renewable energy, energy efficiency and organic growing. It is a world-renowned centre of new ideas and has been around for over 40 years. If you want to live your 'environmental principles' while you study then this is good place to start.

Environmental Health course

Health is a growing sector and assessing the impact of our surroundings on our health is crucial to many organisations. So if you have a social conscience and well as an interest in environmental science or management this course may well suit you. This course at Cranfield University in the UK is suitable for both recent graduates and scientists who are looking to gain an advanced understanding of how human activities which are detrimental to the environment specifically affect human health

Environmental Management course

The Lancaster Environment Centre in the UK is an internationally renowned centre of environmental studies. This course is taught by world experts in their field, including staff of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology within the Lancaster Environment Centre. If you want to help ensure we manage our resources more effectively then this course could be ideal. Water is a crucial resource yet it is often in short supply to those who need it so be part of the solution. A degree in a relevant subject is required to apply.

Ecology course

The Ecology and the Environment master's program at Linköping University in Sweden prepares students for working with the management of ecosystems, ecological communities and populations, based on a thorough knowledge of ecological concepts and theories. So if you love nature or biology and want to make sure ecosystems gets the protection it deserves and even plan ecological landscapes then this course may suit you.

Art and environment course

This program at Aalto University in Finland challenges students to develop their artistic and conceptual skills in diverse issues related to spaces. Land art, installations, spatial art, public art and communal projects form the field of environmental art, in which physical, social and informative spaces meet ecological questions and the global reality. So if you love the environment but hate science then maybe your creativity can still be used in an environmental career. Relevant study is required.

Geological course

An MSc in Paleo-Climate and Geo-Ecosystems at VU University Amsterdam (the Netherlands) will enable you to understand the processes controlling climatic and environmental change on Earth. It requires previous study in Earth Sciences, Geology, Biogeology, Environmental Sciences or other relevant study. So if you used to collect rocks as a kid and love to learn more about the earth and its processes then you may love this course.

In Conclusion

This is just a tiny selection of Environmental postgraduate courses that are available to study in Europe. There are currently over 17,000 environmental master's courses registered at the European Master's study portal so take a look and find the perfect course for you.

Good luck in studying an environmental master's subject. The options and possibilities are endless, so do your homework and find a course that suits your skills and personality.

Useful Links

EnvEuro offers information about the European Master's in Environmental Science with six specialisations.

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This blog contains Tek Jung Mahat's interventions and views as well as relevant environmental topics, contemporary issues, and professional tips taken from various sources. Featured items other than what is written by the blog owner are property of the organisations or the individuals acknowledged. The sole objective of putting these contents together is to offer variety of information coming from diverse sources to suitable group of people, who otherwise might not be able to access them. The contents are shared for free and hence should not be used to make profit, attributing the compiler (blog manager) or the source (original information/knowledge generator).